18 months and still growing

Can you even believe that I am already 18 months, actually almost 19 months now. I had my doctor's appontment last week a little late due to the Blizzard of 2011 and Mommy's busy work schedule. The report from the doctor is and I quote, "She's perfect." You heard it here folks, I am perfect. Dr. Link said I am 24 pound even and 33 1/2 inches tall, which means 50th percentile for weight and 90th percentile for height. He told mom to just keep doing whatever they are doing because I am perfect and growing perfectly. If you didn't notice in the picture above you might notice here that poor Bear is looking a little rough. Well a couple days before this picture was taken I puked in my bed in the middle of the night. Mom came in, in the morning and discovered it. Dad and I were so proud of how well she handled it (if you didn't know, mom does not do puke). Needless to say I got a bath and everything in my crib had to be washed. So poor bear got his first bath and well he just hasn't looked the same ever since. This past weekend, mom was sick and tired of being couped up inside at home and since we had entire day of nothing to do we decided to do an outing. Mom, Dad and I went to the bookstore (here I am playing trains), we went to the pet store, lunch and then Wal-Mart. It was a fun outing.
I also checked out the hamsters and rats in the bookstore. I thought they were pretty cool, but mom disagreed.I loved checking out the birds. Mom went to Hobby Lobby while dad and I went to the pet store. She came over to meet us and I had to show her all the cool things I discovered. It also happened to a day that they had puppies from the local animal shelter there. I got to meet them and dogs from the greyhoud rescue. It was the best store we visited that day. I tried to convince mom and dad that Gretchen needed a playmate, but mom disagrees. I really, really like my rainboots and now that I can get them on by myself there is no telling when I'll put them on. I mean this outfit looks cool, right?

Mom has a very busy semester taking a class and teaching a class so she is always excited when she's there at bedtime to read to me. Gretchen loves story time too. Notice the blanket, Aunt Kim made that for me and I love to use it at storytime.

Isn't this minne mouse so cool. She has velcro on her feet and hands so she can give me a hug. Sometimes mom and dad hook her hands so she hangs on my back. It's a fun game.

Oops almost forgot this picture from the bookstore. I found these other kids reading and I asked to borrow one of their books. Dad was very excited at my book choice.

Now that I am 18 months I want to give you an update on all the cool things I can do and say:

• I can pick out my clothes now, I just started that this week. I picked out pajama pants my first day and mom and dad said ok since I picked it out.
• I can climb up and down the stairs much quicker and safer now
• I try to do the sign for I love you
• I hug and kiss Gretchen every morning before we leave
• I let Gretchen out of mom and dad's bedroom when we get home at night so mom can let her out to go potty
• I give Gretchen her treats when she goes potty
• I can say lots of words. New additions to my vocabulary include: cracker, treat, clothes, shirt, boots, shoes, hat.
• One of my favorite words is hat, I think we need to wear a hat even when it's 50 degrees outside
• I enjoy looking at mom's scrapbooks, especially when it's pictures of me
• I can put my boots on by myself and I try to put mine and everyone else's shoes on
• I can give the sign of peace at church, and it usually lasts a good 5 minutes for me (everyone wants to shake my hand)
• I play pretend, especially in my crib when I don't think it's bedtime or naptime yet
• I can throw Gretchen's ball for her

I'm sure there is more, but that's a snapshot of what I can do and what I'm up to.

Blizzard 2011

Well Blizzard 2011 became a reality and the we couldn't have been happier. Daddy's work closed at 2:00 on Tuesday and closed for Wednesday. Mom's work didn't officially close on Tuesday, but they used their discretion and headed home at 3:15. By 5:00 p.m. they announced a closure for Wednesday too. I didn't understand why mom and Dad were so excited , but then I found out it meant we all got to stay home together. In an unprecedented move, mom's work is also closed today so that's why we can update the blog. Woohoo for two snow days. Sorry dad you have to go to work.To start the day off we sat and enjoyed some yummy muffins mom and I made the night before while we watched Blizzard 2011 news coverage. I love muffins.
Wow, Lake Shore Drive looks like a mess, glad we don't live near there.
Here I am sitting atop the huge pile of snow that was created as we dug out our driveway. Notice how I am all the way up to the front window.
This is dad taking a break right before the driveway was done. Our snowblower doesn't work so we had to shovel our way out....I'm not sure what the big deal was I helped and it didn't seem too hard, but mom and dad seemed to act like it was quite the workout.
That little bit at the end of the driveway is all that's left, but dad needed a break. He was exhausted.
While mom and dad worked I decided to take a break and see if my car could cut it in the snow.
Mom and I took my sled over to the park. Look at how close my feet are to the snow. It was so much fun, I cried when we had to leave.
That's the tracks from my sled you can't even see mom's boot prints. Mom said it was a huge workout for her, because the snow was up to her knees.
While we were at the park, dad took another break. It may not seem like mom did much work, but conveniently dad didn't take any pictures of mom shoveling out our front walk this morning.
Dad and I. Gees doesn't he know we don't have time for pictures, I've got a lot of work to do here.
See mom did make it outside, there's proof.
Whew this is hard work. Now I know why mom and dad had me...child labor.

Can you see me? Good thing I have this bright green coat, I might get lost in the snow otherwise.
This snow is so tall. While mom and dad shoveled they didn't have to worry that I'd go anywhere because the snow was the fence.

Dad went out to shovel a path for Gretchen. Here he is playing around in the snow drift by our garage.

Me and Emily having a snack at Gramma and Bakka's

Mom is taking a class and teaching a class this semester and one night while she was at class she called to check on me and dad just let me have the phone. Look below for the video of this hysterical call. All looks ok here, but once dad made me get off the phone all He** broke lose.
Meltdown city after having to give up the phone. I sobbed throughout all of dinner. Dad made me go to bed early, he is soooo mean. Paging all grandma and grandpas out there, you should definitely talk to him about this bad behavior. Why was I punished for just wanting to talk on the phone.
Our friends the hellman's came over to play. While the parents watched the Bears vs. Packers game, we played with my kitchen. Then I showed Kayleigh my cars and track. She thought it was great, but I actually think her dad thought it was even cooler than she did.

Have you heard about my love of shoes? I took all mom's shoes off her shelves and started trying them on.
While at Grandma and Grandpa Gerken's I got to try on Grandpa's headphones. When they are on you can't hear anything but the music. Hehehe it was funny when mom and dad tried to get my attention.
Do you love my crazy hair. Mom and dad really like this cute vest. Mom got it on sale for like $1.50...great deal mom.
And this is why they call me Crazy hair Gerken on occassion. This is how it started in the morning, and Grandma and Mom spent the rest of the weekend trying to tame it.


Here is the video of me talking to mom on her break from class. Listen closely for mom trying to get dad's attention. The second one is the complete meltdown after the phone was taken away...she is stilll upset during dinner.